AUTHOR & PHOTOGRAPHER
With insider knowledge on youth automotive culture, Antonio Alvendia has been a part of the emerging drifting scene in the USA since day one. Antonio has traveled all over the world to document the evolution of drifting through his photography, and has authored the groundbreaking hardcover, "DRIFTING: Sideways from Japan to America," the first book on the topic of drifting.
DRIFTING uses historical images from Cipher Media Group's photographic archive to tell the story of drifting culture's roots as an underground, rebel movement in Japan to its growth as a professional motor sport in the USA and its spread across the world, from subculture to pop culture.
Based on the success of the DRIFTING hardcover book and its fan following, Antonio was contracted to produce the first ever 12 month DRIFTING CALENDAR (2008). This Drifting calendar was mass produced by Motorbooks International and distributed at Barnes&Noble, Borders, Calendar Club, Amazon and other major retailers worldwide.
MEDIA POWERHOUSE
Antonio Alvendia established Cipher Media Group in 2003, specializing in commercial photography, media production, advertising/marketing, and web development. Outside consulting projects for client companies include brand development, trend spotting, marketing, and connecting brands to the youth automotive sector.
Expertise includes editorial content production and managing workflow of large, international editorial/marketing teams. Client projects also include creating and licensing assets from digital photography archives for editorial, merchandising and advertising.
By utilizing Cipher Media Group's diverse network of worldwide print and online media partners, Antonio helps to promote global car cultures and also influences other markets by popularizing drifting and youth car culture.
EMCEE/ANNOUNCER
Antonio Alvendia is regularly asked to host car shows and drifting events. As an event personality with unmatched expertise dealing with youth car culture, Antonio has traveled across the world to emcee several different automotive events.
Antonio served as the official voice of the nationwide Drift Showoff series and continues to serve as the emcee for the annual Nisei Showoff car show, Toyota/Scion's Scion Exposed events, a Japanese vintage car show in Northern California (Motoring J Style), regional drift competitions (Tertech's South Florida Sideways), and even a motorsport fashion show in the heart of Hollywood Blvd (Fashion Icons at Hollywood & Highland).
Antonio also announced Speed Channel's coverage of the XDL Show at GT Live's JGTC USA event, which had a reported attendance of 30,000 spectators over the course of the whole weekend, according to GT Live.
PERSONALITY
Antonio Alvendia has also appeared in numerous film and television projects, such as Mobil 1's The Grid (2010), which is a motorsports television show that airs on cable channels in 240 countries across the world.
Antonio was also one of the presenting hosts of the documentary film, "The Birth of Pro Street," which debuted on SpikeTV (2007) in the USA and in Europe on MotorsTV (2008).
Other notable projects include a ABC morning news feature and live 12 minute interview on the subject of drifting on ABC News Now(2006), numerous guest video appearances on RedlineTV (Speed Channel), Speedhunters.com, RiceboyTV.com, Top Gear USA (pilot), WebRidesTV, and other Speed Channel programs.
CONSULTANT
As a recognized trend spotter, connector, Japanese car culture specialist, and youth marketing consultant, Antonio Alvendia has been working with Electronic Arts on international brand extension initiatives for the Need For Speed franchise over the past two years. Consulting work includes special projects involving Need For Speed creatives, marketing team and management from EA's international offices.
Ongoing consulting and creative work with EA Games includes the development, roll out, and promotion of SPEEDHUNTERS - the Need For Speed franchise's high traffic online property that has been capturing widespread corporate and enthusiast attention alike, with a rapidly growing worldwide readership base.
Organized into blog format, Speedhunters.com publishes original content several times a day. Strategically located in 5 different countries, Speedhunters team members specialize in cutting edge editorial, HD video and photographic content, focused on car culture and motorsports across the globe.
www.SPEEDHUNTERS.com
COMMERCIAL CLIENTS INCLUDE:
NBC Universal, Nike, Electronic Arts, ABC Television, MTV Viacom, Sears Holdings, Asus Computer, Speed Channel, SpikeTV, G4 Television, Nissan North America, General Motors, Daimler Chrysler, Bridgestone Americas, Falken Tires, BF Goodrich, Maxxis International, Discount Tire Direct, and more.
EDITORIAL MEDIA OUTLETS INCLUDE:
Source Interlink Media, Speedhunters.com, Verticalscope, Harris Publications, FHM International, MBI Publishing, Neko Publishing (Japan), Heiwa Publishing (Japan), Sanei Shobo Publishing (Japan), Option Press (Europe), ACP Publications (Australia), OverAmerica LLC, Motorsport Marketing Inc, Los Angeles News Publishing, Rafu Shimpo Japanese Daily News, LA Auto Guide, Houston Chronicle, and more.
CONTACT ANTONIO
Antonio Alvendia is based in Los Angeles, CA but always has bags packed and ready to travel worldwide. If you would like to contact Antonio Alvendia for upcoming projects, consulting, and/or other opportunities, please contact: antonio(at)ciphermediagroup.com
LINKEDIN Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/antonioalvendia
